The initial papal trip to the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq; his close bond with Rabbi Abraham Skorka from Argentina as well as the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayyeb; regular attendance at synagogues; strong condemnation of the Holocaust and antisemitism; shared statements with faith leaders advocating for peace, harmony, and combating religious extremism.
Here are some examples that spring to mind when considering the memorable moments of interfaith camaraderie and conversation throughout, and extending back several decades prior to, Pope Francis’ papacy.
In February 2019, during his historic trip to the United Arab Emirates—the inaugural visit of a pope to the Arabian Peninsula—Pope Francis presented an emblematic vision of the Church aiming to construct bridges and strengthen ties with other faiths.
Notably, the ‘Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,’ often referred to as the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which was signed by Pope Francis and the most senior figure in Sunni Islam, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad al-Tayyib, during that interfaith meeting, signaled the beginning of a new chapter in Catholic-Muslim relations.
Among its findings, the report introduced the Declaration with “a call to all conscientious individuals who denounce condemnable acts of violence and unchecked extremism; a plea to those who uphold the principles of tolerance and brotherhood fostered by various faiths.”
From this point onward, the Pope proceeded to author an encyclical centered around the concept of fraternity, titled “Fratelli Tutti,” which he dedicated to Sheikh Al-Tayyeb.
At the beginning of the passage, the Pope remembers that when preparing his 2015 encyclical on environmental issues titled Laudato si’, he found inspiration in his brother Bartholomew, the Orthodox Patriarch, who has strongly advocated for our duty to protect creation.
“In this case,” he continued, “I have felt particularly encouraged by the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, with whom I met in Abu Dhabi, where we declared that ‘God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters.”‘
The Pope emphasized, “This wasn’t just a diplomatic move; it stemmed from dialogue and shared dedication.”
Furthermore, Pope Francis could make history as the first pope to visit Iraq, overcoming issues related to safety and the ongoing coronavirus crisis. During his trip, he was scheduled to meet with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who holds the highest position within Iraq’s Shia Muslim community.
This instance would profoundly impact the Pope, leading him to frequently extend invitations to his brothers and sisters from different faiths to join in promoting “the noblest ethical principles” as encouraged by their respective religions.
During his 12-year tenure leading the Catholic Church, the deceased Pope Francis consistently promoted a stronger sense of solidarity among all Christian denominations, demonstrating this vision through both his statements and actions.
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025
He likewise reiterated his wishes that both Christians and Muslims could serve as “beacons of truth, love, and hope” in a world marred by many conflicts and thus urgently requiring compassion and healing.
During his tenure as pope, Francis made it a point to actively engage in many interfaith gatherings and interreligious meetings, often scheduling such encounters during almost all of his apostolic trips to meet with leaders from various faiths.
Motivated by sincere friendships, mutual respect, and a commitment to fostering global peace, the Pope visited Kazakhstan in 2022 for the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, taking place in Astana. This gathering focused on interreligious discussions, particularly emphasizing the promotion of peaceful initiatives several months following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.
When the Pope visited Bahrain several months afterward, he and various religious figures reiterated their calls for peace and unity among different faiths. This was notably emphasized after he appended his signature to the Bahrain Declaration, which advocates for interfaith dialogues and peaceful coexistence.
Despite facing several health challenges and uncertainties regarding whether his aspirations would materialize, Pope Francis embarked on an extensive tour in September 2024. His journey began in Indonesia, home to the world’s most populous Muslim community, comprising over 240 million individuals. This marked the initial segment of his rapid-fire visit across four nations, which was set to continue through Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.
For several years, Pope Francis has been intent on visiting this predominantly Muslim country, which takes pride in its diversity and harmonious coexistence—values enshrined in its foundational “Pancasila” principles.
At the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, the planet’s biggest mosque, the Pope along with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar endorsed the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024 aimed at Promoting Interreligious Amity for Mankind. This declaration urged religious figures to join forces against what were termed as two critical global challenges: dehumanization and environmental alteration caused by climate change.
Surely, the significant interactions of the Supreme Pontiff with leaders from various faiths continue to resonate. Striking visuals documented the Pope’s meetings with Buddhists, notably during his trips to Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia—a country traditionally dominated by Buddhism.
It’s also worth mentioning his close relationship with his Jewish brothers and sisters, demonstrated by his enduring friendships with multiple Jewish individuals who date back to his time as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
“The Lord has blessed me with your gifts of companionship and insight, and for this, I am grateful,” Pope Francis penned to his dear friend Rabbi Abraham Skorka, who serves as the retired head of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary in Buenos Aires, in 2023.
They previously co-hosted a radio program in Buenos Aires and collaborated on writing the book titled “On Heaven and Earth.”
Pope Francis has paid visits to synagogues in cities such as Rome and New York, and regularly conveyed his solidarity with Jews, strongly denouncing antisemitism. Acknowledging the painful history experienced by Jewish communities under previous papacies, he also firmly denounced the atrocities of the Holocaust.
During his trip to Poland for the World Youth Day in 2016, Pope Francis visited Auschwitz, where he took time to silently reflect and pray for those who lost their lives innocently at the former death camp.
During his 2014 visit to the Holy Land, the Holy Father met with Israel’s two chief rabbis, visited the Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem, and also visited the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem.
The Holy Father was determined, following the events of 7 October 2023, to work with faith leaders toward peace in the Holy Land, an aspiration that has been in his heart since the start of his pontificate.
While the Pope’s friendships with those of other faiths may not have moved mountains overnight, he knew down to his very core that praying together as brothers and sisters plants seeds for peace and goodness, for “nothing is impossible for God.”
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